Frequently Asked Questions / Answers Musser Lake 2013 DrawdownQ What is the purpose of the drawdown?A Dam repair is needed to maintain the integrity of the structure for public safetyQ Why now?A The dam needs work and: yes, we could wait longer to do the repairs, however, the repairs needed would get worse and the cost would increase, Also, Price County has obtained a 50/50 cost share grant from the DNR to perform maintenance work on Musser Dam in 2013

Q When will the drawdown begin?A The drawdown would start after Labor Day (September 3, 2013). The goal is to complete the drawdown by September 16, 2013 before hibernation, to protect native species.Q What is the rate of drawdown?A Musser Lake will be drawn down no more than 6 inches per day.

Q How far will the lake be drawn down?A Price County is targeting a 5 – 6 foot drawdown during construction and after construction a 5 – 5 ½ foot drawdown ( a tolerance of six inches is allowed)Q When will the lake be refilled?A In the spring of 2014, in conjunction with the snowmelt and runoff. Hopefully, no later than April 30, 2014Q Will Musser Lake refill in a timely fashion?A Because Musser is fed by the Elk River, Popple Creek, and Chase Creek watersheds, it is anticipated that there will not be a problem refilling Musser Lake.Q What will happen when the flowage is brought back up to full pool?A Detritus and debris will become buoyant and will be floating around the flowage for some time. Some detritus and debris will re-hydrate and sink, but other material will float around until it finds a permanent home. Anything that affects the dam operation will be removed by the County.Q What is the amount of lake bottom that will be exposed during the drawdown?A A 5 foot drawdown would reduce Musser Lake to approximately 336 acres (from 563). So, about 225 acres (40%) of the lake bottom would be exposed to freezing at the 5 foot level.

Q Will the drawdown have an adverse effect on private water supplies?A The drawdown should not affect compliant wells. Most of these wells are at least 25 feet deep with static water levels of 10 feet. Non-compliant wells (i.e. shallow sand points or hand dug) may be affected.

Q Will the drawdown impact the fishery (over-harvest)?A DNR Fish Management is not overly concerned about over-harvest. Voluntary harvest restrictions could be promoted by the Musser Lake Association. An emergency rule could also be considered if warranted. Fish Management believes this is more of a perceived problem than a real problem, so rule changes (normal and emergency) do not seem appropriate.

Q Will low dissolved oxygen be a problem?A It is anticipated that low dissolved oxygen should not be a problem. Musser Lake’s watershed system enters the lake with adequate flow and dissolved oxygen levels. Dissolved oxygen concentrations will be monitored by a member of the MLA who will be trained by Onterra (MLA’s lake management company) to use a device provided by Onterra to measure oxygen levels.

Q Will the ice be safe?A The drawdown should be completed around September 15. The ice conditions should be safe once the lake freezes to a proper thickness. Caution should be used at any stream entry points and main channels because of flowing water and thinner ice. Caution should be used whenever on the ice.

Q What will be the impact on native plants other than invasive species?A The drawdown will affect native plants. Some native plant species are likely to be reduced, while others are likely to increase. We will monitor changes.Q What impact will the drawdown have on the invasive species Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP)?A Historically, drawdown has not proven to be an effective method of CLP control. However, some more recent studies have shown that drawdowns do control CLP. Also, if the MLA is able to chemically treat the CLP in the spring of 2013, the drawdown may have an effect on the weakened CLP turions and plants. Due to the drawdown, MLA, Onterra and the DNR will be able to better assess the results of treatment prior to winter and the results of drawdown after winter prior to refilling.

Q Will the severity of the winter or snow pack impact the effect of drawdown on CLP?A A drawdown of not less than 5 feet would most likely be a positive for CLP management. At a minimum, the drawdown would act as a single year of treatment on all areas that remain dry through the winter. In areas where the soil freezes or desiccates (dries out) to the point the turions in the sediment also freeze and/or desiccate affecting CLP reproduction, gains in CLP management will occur.

Q Will loose, flocculent sediment consolidate?A Another benefit of a drawdown is the consolidation/compaction of soft sediment (muck) as a result of dewatering, which may add water depth to the lake. This will be measured as part of the monitoring program.

Q What work (shore land restoration) can be done on shorelines during the drawdown (Chapter 30 work)?A Any work below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) on the shoreline or exposed lake bed during the drawdown may require a permit from the WDNR under Chapter 30 Wis.State Stats. Contact Dave Kafura at 715-634-9658, ext. 3523, with specific questions or refer to the waterway and wetlands permit page at http://dnr.gov.waterways/ for general information regarding regulated activities. For projects above the OHWM, contact Price County Zoning Office at 715-339-3272.

Q How was the drawdown level decided upon?A The drawdown level was determined by establishing a workable depth for dam repair.

Q Who has regulatory authority?A Musser Dam is owned by Price County and, therefore, does not need the riparian owner’s or Musser Lake Association’s approval to do the drawdown. The DNR has the authority through the Chapter 31 program.

Q What permits are required and is an environmental assessment required?A A permit is not needed for a drawdown if it is for dam safety related reasons (dam maintenance and repair). This Type IV action would not require an environmental assessment or public hearing (although a public information meeting is recommended). This also could be a Type III action that would require only a press release notice. An engineering plan approval from the DNR for construction is required prior toany work being done.

Q Will the lake level have to remain at the 5 – 5 ½ foot drawdown level once the construction is completed (end of October) until April or can it be refilled prior to April?A The recommendation is to maintain the drawdown at 5 – 5 ½ foot level because raising the water level late in October would be detrimental to reptiles, amphibians, and fur bearing animals. This can be written as a condition in the Engineering Plan Approval.

Q How will the public be involved?A A public information meeting will be held in the future.

Q Will anyone conduct a monitoring program?A Yes. Pre and post monitoring will be conducted to determine how the lake responded to the drawdown. Musser Lake Association will evaluate changes in the native plant community, sediment consolidation, dissolved oxygen concentrations and the effect on CLP.

Q What are the costs?A Cost of the drawdown is zero dollars, other than some extra mileage expense. The estimated cost to repair the dam is $195,000.00. If the lake is not drawn down, costs could be higher, the quality of the work could be negatively affected, and worker safety could be an issue.